Public stewards

Former Colorado senator Gary Hart has drafted a policy blueprint for the next U.S. president. Hart, a Democrat who began his political career in 1971 as national campaign manager for George McGovern, is politically well prepared to make this proposal. Even more important, his proposal is theologically grounded.

In a June 25 New York Times column, Hart rejects the prevailing media and political view of religion and politics as a series of political battles codified in hardline ideological demands. After identifying issues that the next president will confront, Hart states: “The moral obligations of our stewardship of the planet must become paramount.”

Hart suggests that a national dialogue must be shaped by an ethical perspective. With this proposal he joins Al Gore, who has creatively confronted global warming and climate change with a moral template.